For the second week in a row, the MegaByte had yet another good day drifting the beaches. It looks like it's going to be a good year. Both last Saturday and today, Sunday, 5/19 just myself and one other person hooked and released 20 bass each day. The bass were taken on clam bait. No matter how hard you try to avoid it, fishing with bait means that some fish will be coming up gut hooked. We had about 6 of the 40 fish hooked deep in the gut or in the gills. The normal procedure would be to cut the line as close to the fishes mouth as possible and let him go. The salt water and stomach acids are supposed to rot out the hook. That may well be, but I've caught some fish with hooks in them. They look a bit thin and the area around the rusted hook always looks "unhappy". OK, so the fish stands a better chance with the hook than without his guts. Agreed, but there is another choice. A few years ago I bought this little hook remover. I don't know why, but let me tell you, I've never seen anything like it in my life. It has been 100% effective in removing any and all hooks as long as you can see at least a part of the hook shank. And, unlike other wacky inventions that don't seem to work, this thing lasts. I have had mine now for over 6 years and it has been abused beyond belief, yet it continues to function just like new. The way it works is it has a flat stainless tongue at one end with a slot carved into it.(see picture below)

On the other end is a handle. When you squeeze the handle, the slotted tongue retracts into a tube. Now here's the magic, the tube is cut at an angle. When a hook is pulled into the tube by retracting the tongue, the angled end forces the hook to spin upside down. (as demonstrated in the picture below)

I am so impressed with this gem of a hook remover that if I ever see it sold in a store, I will buy another one or two to ensure I will always have one. If you see it, get one and let me know where you got it. At any price, it is worth it!

Good Fishing - Captain John
(cr) May 2002